Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority to boycott upcoming land-for-peace negotiations on Monday. The request comes a day before Israeli and Palestinian representatives are set to meet in Amman, Jordan.

Direct negotiations between Israel and the PA were broken off in September 2010 after Israel refused to extend a 10-month building freeze in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

Chief Palestinian negotiatior Saeb Erekat said Tuesday’s meeting will only succeed if Israel agrees to stop building additional housing for Jews in Judea and Samaria.

About the Author:Malkah Fleisher is a graduate of Cardozo Law School in New York City. She is an editor/staff writer at JewishPress.com and co-hosts a weekly Israeli FM radio show. Malkah lives with her husband and two children on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

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One Response to “Hamas to PA: Boycott Negotiations with Israel”

Hamas is making a terrible mistake by boycotting the meeting between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It says it recognizes the pre-1967 borders, so now they need to go all the way, by being in peace negotiations with Israel. This can start the process of creating a two-state solution. Doing so will lead to economic and political certainty and viability. The Palestinians do U.S. $3 billion dollars worth of business with Israel, and Israel is the Palestinians largest trading partner. This can lead to alleviating the severe poverty and high unemployment afflicting Gaza.

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